“You don’t have to treat me like a china doll. I’m not going to break,” he said, feeding her the crisp slice. “Quit fussing and spend time with me.”
“My butt hurts,” she admitted with a blush.
He couldn’t help but laugh. Lifting a brow, he ran his hand over the upper curve of her thigh. “Does it now?”
She wiggled in his lap, drawing another chuckle. Cupping her chin, he tugged her face to his for a quick kiss.
“Then your reminder is serving you well,” he stated quietly.
He ran a finger over the delicate silver chain gracing her neck and lifted his gaze to hers. It humbled him to find nothing but love and acceptance reflecting back at him from those expressive grey pools. He’d expected a hint of rebellion, pain, or even hatred. Those were things he was used to dealing with on a personal and professional level. What he saw in her eyes made his heart swell with pride and hope. A sense of calm soothed his rampant emotions. He’d known she was special from the first moment he saw her, but for Taylor it had been a matter of her finding her place. Knowing her place. Now, not only did she understand, but also she accepted. Even with the gentle reminder, she’d gone out of her way to please him and was still eager for his touch. She truly was the perfect woman in so many ways.
Nuzzling the fragrant warmth of her skin, he held her close, savoring the quiet sanctity of the moment. The smell of warm vanilla and cashmere teased his nose. Combined with her own unique fragrance it was a scent he’d come to know by heart and love. It was the smell of comfort and seduction—home. Taylor rested her head against his, her fingers massaging his nape with slow, gentle strokes that threatened to lull him back to sleep. Closing his eyes, he breathed deep. The heat of her body melded with his, pulling him closer to slumber, but he'd slept enough. He didn't want to waste another minute with her. Shifting, he pulled her to straddle him. She giggled and he leaned his head back to offer her a lazy smile. She drew in a breath as he gripped the back of her thighs and rocked her against him.
The pressure and friction against his straining zipper wrung a pleasured groan from his throat. Curling his fingers in the hem of her shirt, he peeled it over her head. Damn if he didn’t love the way the lacy demi cups cradled those perfect breasts. He closed his hands around the full mounds and rubbed his thumbs across her nipples until they stiffened and Taylor squirmed. Slipping his hands around back, he unclasped the hook and tugged the garment free. A sharp gasp escaped her as he clamped his mouth over a dusky peak and sucked with zeal. Her back arched. Her fingers speared through his hair while hot moisture rocked against the ridge of his jeans.
At this rate, it wasn’t going to take either one of them long to finish. He scooped her up with a growl, loving the way her toned legs instinctually wrapped around him. Sunlight streamed through the bay windows bathing her body in a light he didn’t want to miss. Supporting her weight with one hand, he popped the button free on his jeans with the other, letting them fall where he stood. Freeing her breast, their mouths clashed in a hungry fusion. He tugged her cotton pants down as much as their position would allow before sweeping his plate aside and lowering her onto the table. Taylor winced at the scrape of the mosaic tile beneath her tender skin, but she eagerly thrashed out of her clothes as he did the same.
Snaring her hips, he yanked her to the edge and drove into her, blessing his choice of a high table. Taylor’s head fell back, her dark hair spilling around her, as he pumped into her with wild abandon. Coffee sloshed over the rim of the mug before it fell, shattering against the floor. Her breathless cries and the look of agonized bliss playing across her face drove him closer to the edge. The snug grasp of her body was unbelievable, bordering somewhere near pain. Gritting his teeth, he pinned her hips and pounded into her until those silken walls clamped down in and rocked him in a series of contractions that wrested away sanity and control. The house echoed with his hoarse cry as he emptied himself in a moment of crippling pleasure.
Bracing his palms on the edge of the table, he leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers as he tried to still the frantic beating of his heart. He grimaced at the feel of cooling coffee beneath his feet. Meeting Taylor’s gaze, he offered a sheepish grin. Soon both of them were laughing as he shifted his weight and splashed in the puddle. His eyebrows danced. Catching sight of his expression, her eyes flared and she shook her head, holding out a staying hand.
“No! No! Nooo!”
The last one came out in a squeal as he scooped her up. The beautiful ring of her laughter chimed throughout the house, joining his chuckle as he quickly but gently lay her down in the puddle and sprawled over top of her. He wanted to kiss her, but they were both laughing too damn hard. It was crazy, but the moment felt good—right. Grinning down at her, he chomped at the side of her neck with a playful growl, making her thrash and squirm. Her hands splayed against his shoulders before working their way into his curls. He didn’t bother trying to contain his smile as he gazed into her eyes.
“What is this obsession you have with my hair?”
Her cheeks colored, but the smile playing on her face was nothing short of radiant. “I’m in love with these things.”
“Just my curls?” he asked, lifting a brow.
“Absolutely not. I love all of you,” Taylor murmured. “Every last inch.”
“Mm. That goes double for you,” he whispered. Brushing his lips against hers, he stole a kiss. “But you’re crazy.”
“No I’m not. They’re so thick and loose and wild—untamed, just like you. It’s almost as if they have a life of their own. One minute they make you look like an adorable schoolboy and the next they make you look so sinister.”
His body shook with a loud chuckle. “I hate to break this to you, darling, but that’s not my hair. That’s just me.”
She scrunched her nose and pressed it against his. “The floor is getting cold.”
“I know a good way to warm it up.” He drew her earlobe between his lips and gave it a gentle nibble.
“Again?” she asked breathlessly.
“Oh yes, sweetheart,” he murmured against the side of her neck. “Again.”
He’d just finished tugging on a clean pair of pants when the doorbell rang. His eyes narrowed at the sound. Cursing, Sebastian shook the excess water from his head and sighed. Only two people besides himself and Taylor knew the passcode for the front gate, and he wasn’t in the mood to deal with either of them. Jogging down the steps, he rounded through the kitchen, nabbing the remainder of his croissant out of the fridge on the way past. The afternoon had brought his appetite back into full swing. Maybe later, he’d order Chinese. Cooking didn’t really appeal to him now, nor did the thought of sitting by himself while Taylor slaved away in the kitchen. His gaze darted to the morning room. Thankfully, she’d picked up the broken mug and mopped the floor before joining him in the shower. The last thing he felt like doing was offering explanations today.
Stuffing the sandwich in his mouth to hold it, he unlocked the heavy front doors and hauled t
hem open. His heated gaze bore into his sister for a long moment before shifting to her companion. Steeling his jaw, he shook his head and turned back inside, leaving the doors open behind him. A quiet voice in the back of his head cautioned it would be safer to push them shut and retreat back into the arms of the woman he loved. Tension crept up his back and branched across his shoulders, settling near the base of his skull as he heard the door close and the echo of footsteps behind him. He made his way back into the kitchen and tossed his food into the garbage. Giving his neck a stiff roll, he braced his hands on the island and stared at Josh in silent expectation.
“I just wanted to see how you were. I’ve been worried about you, Baas.”
“Have you?” Sebastian asked quietly. He traced a swirl in the granite’s surface before lifting his gaze. “It’s a little late for concern now, Josh, don’t you think?”
His partner paled at the implication. Regret and shame haunted his blue eyes. Seeking respite, he shifted his attention to the floor. Sebastian snorted beneath his breath and pinned his sister with a calculating stare. The last two weeks had taken a definite toll on her. Shadows stretched across her pale face and the angles were sharper, more defined than he remembered. Her thin shoulders strained against her coat as she regarded him in silence. Pain branded her eyes, but there were accusations written in those green depths as well—accusations and a definite spark of resentment.
His jaw clenched. Monique trembled as he approached and leaned over her, his stare boring into hers.
“Is there something you would like to say to me?” he whispered.
Her chin lifted for a moment. He cocked his head, his fist balling instinctually at his side. The pale column of her neck bobbed with a tense swallow. Her lips whitened as she struggled to keep them pressed together. After a long moment, she lowered her head and averted her gaze.
“No, Sebastian.”
His shoulders jerked with a humorless huff. “That’s good, Monique. Because if I did do the things you are thinking, it wouldn’t be wise to push me to that point again, would it?”